Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships for construction trades on the rise

By Karen Kellock — Apprenticeship Services Manager

There has been an increase in construction trade apprenticeships recently — despite many media reports about a skills shortage and falling number of apprenticeship commencements and completions nationally across all industries.

According to the latest National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) report (September 2017), there has been an increase in the number of people starting construction apprenticeships in NSW. The report also noted that there was a slight increase of construction trades workers in training, and those who have completed their trade qualification. Of all the industry areas identified in the report, construction trades was the most positive in terms of participation of apprentices, which is exciting news for the building and construction industry. • There was a 45.8 per cent increase in construction trades workers commencing apprenticeship and traineeship programs from 2013 to 2017. • There was also a positive growth spurt of 2.3 per cent commencing in apprenticeship and traineeship programs in just 12 months from 2016 – 2017. • Completions of apprenticeships in our field has also shown positive growth of 17.4 per cent for the same 12 months. • Certificate IV commencements should also be noted as this also seen a slight positive growth in the 12 month period of 3.8 per cent. Master Builders Apprenticeship Service understands the importance of employment opportunities for our youth aged 15-24 years, who are the largest unemployed group - currently around 13 per cent in Sydney and in regional areas of NSW the figure stands at 16 per cent. Vocational education in Australia is a worthwhile pathway in securing a job. Statistics indicate VET graduates have a higher employment rate than some university undergraduates. • More than 78 per cent of VET

graduates are employed after training. • The rate is even higher for people who participated in VET as part of an apprenticeship or traineeship, where 82 per cent of graduates were employed after training. Master Builders continues to play a pivotal role in vocational education to support and educate the industry to become qualified and licensed tradespeople. Today employers are seeking both hand-on skills and experience, as well as the aptitude to continue to grow and learn in the industry. Encouraging young people to take on VET apprenticeships and traineeships in the building and construction industry means that they will be skills ready and less likely to face unemployment in the years ahead. Construction Trade Apprentices in NSW 20000 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0

In-Training Commencements Completions 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Employment outcomes of Graduates in Australia 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Trades Apprentices and Trainees VET Graduates University Graduates